El-Amin may make the jump to NBA

STORRS, Conn. (AP) - Kalid El-Amin may have played his last game in a Connecticut uniform.

The Hartford Courant reported yesterday that the junior guard will announce in the next few days he will forgo his senior season and declare himself eligible for the NBA draft.

El-Amin, who is from Minneapolis, went home over the weekend to discuss with his family whether to go pro or stay at Connecticut, according to the newspaper.

Coach Jim Calhoun would neither confirm nor deny that El-Amin had made a decision.

Underclassmen have until May 14 to declare for the June 28 draft.

The 5-10, 200-pound El-Amin, a first-team Big East selection and Associated Press honorable mention All-American, is being projected as a late first-round or early second-round choice in the draft by seven NBA general managers and two pro scouts interviewed by The Courant last month.

El-Amin

Boy earns $1M for Marlins' accident

FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) - A boy who was struck in the head with a baseball before a Florida Marlins game in 1997 has been awarded more than $1 million by a jury.

Andrew Klein was awarded $1.05 million from the team and stadium by the state court jury. He has permanent brain damage since being struck by a ball during batting practice as he took part in a pregame program at Pro Player Stadium.

Andrew, then 8, had been selected to take part in the Marlins' "Bullpen Buddies" program, where he and about 100 other children were brought down near the field to ask questions of team officials and receive player autographs.

But the St. Louis Cardinals were taking batting practice while the program was taking place and a line drive hit by Ray Lankford came into the stands and struck Andrew in the left temple.

"I saw the ball coming and I jumped and screamed because it was headed for the children,'" said Mark Klein, Andrew's father. "It's tough to describe. It was like watching your child get shot."

Andrew suffered a frontal lobe injury to his brain. It will affect him the rest of his life.

Senator Levin wins bets over Florida official, wins oranges

WASHINGTON (AP) - With Michigan State University's 89-76 win over Florida in the national basketball championship, won a bet with Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.). If the Spartans had lost, Levin would have owed Graham Michigan apples.

Levin wore a national championship hat as he collected his winnings. He congratulated the Florida team on its achievements in making it to the championship, but said he never doubted that he and the Spartans would win.

U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Flint), also will benefit from Michigan State's Final Four performance. He bet Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin), that the Spartans would win in the semifinals played Saturday.

Kildee offered a meal of Flint coneys, Vernors ginger ale and Michigan cherry pie. But since Michigan State knocked off Wisconsin 53-41, Kildee will get Wisconsin cheese and bratwurst.

The payoff reception is planned for sometime next week.

Under the terms of the bet, Kildee will have to wear a Spartan jersey while they eat.

2001 Final Four

tickets available

INDIANAPOLIS - Ticket applications for the 2001 NCAA Men's and Women's Final Fours will be available through April 28.

The Men's Final Four is March 31 and April 2 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Tickets are $142 and $122 and will admit the bearer to all three games.

The Women's Final Four is March 30 and April 1 at the Kiel Center in St. Louis. Tickets are $102.

An official application form must be used to apply for tickets. Applications may be requested by visiting www.finalfour.net.

Completed applications must be received by May 12, 2000, for inclusion in the random computerized drawings, which will be held in July. Applicants will be notified of the results of the drawings in August.

- Briefs collected from staff and wire reports